Parents and lawmakers speak out against Obama's speech to students

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

Politics as usual sure. Good government in an area of huge importance, probably not.

I think a lot of the changes I was thinking of are just in the proposed Senate version.

Originally Posted by MysticCat

All to often, the two do not go together, I'm afraid.

FTW

Bottom line: if health care is to be universal, then every American citizen should have exactly the same health care plan as the President, both Houses, and their families. Anything less is an insult to our intelligence.

I'm going to add a link, but the way this computer has been acting, I'm posting this much now.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by honeychile

FTW

Bottom line: if health care is to be universal, then every American citizen should have exactly the same health care plan as the President, both Houses, and their families. Anything less is an insult to our intelligence.

I'm going to add a link, but the way this computer has been acting, I'm posting this much now.

But your proposing that everyone should have the same insurance and that is not what Americans want. We all want to choose our own insurance...which may be the policy that the President and Congress enjoy, but it may also be a cheaper policy that only covers catastrophic coverage so that we don't have to pay huge monthly bills for the policy. If health care is to be universal, then every American citizen should be expected to have some level of responsibility towards covering their own insurance needs. Leaving the health care expenses for the nation to the tax payers is ridiculous. Instead of buying expensive electronics and cars, first, we all need to cover ourselves for the very real threats to our health. For those that cannot afford coverage, the government can subsidize policies. I understand that paying for health insurance is an expense that doesn't seem to make sense when you don't make much money and you can't see the tangible benefits. Unfortunately, responsibility mandates that you buy the insurance anyway. I sure hated to pay for it when I lived off of $9000 a year in med school, but I didn't really have much of a choice since it was a requirement for enrollment.

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

But your proposing that everyone should have the same insurance and that is not what Americans want. We all want to choose our own insurance...which may be the policy that the President and Congress enjoy, but it may also be a cheaper policy that only covers catastrophic coverage so that we don't have to pay huge monthly bills for the policy. If health care is to be universal, then every American citizen should be expected to have some level of responsibility towards covering their own insurance needs. Leaving the health care expenses for the nation to the tax payers is ridiculous. Instead of buying expensive electronics and cars, first, we all need to cover ourselves for the very real threats to our health. For those that cannot afford coverage, the government can subsidize policies. I understand that paying for health insurance is an expense that doesn't seem to make sense when you don't make much money and you can't see the tangible benefits. Unfortunately, responsibility mandates that you buy the insurance anyway. I sure hated to pay for it when I lived off of $9000 a year in med school, but I didn't really have much of a choice since it was a requirement for enrollment.

I am so glad my coverage is through work and it comes out of my paycheck before I even get paid. I also have it set up to take out my car and renter's insurance as well, so it is a real budgeting boon to have that all taken care of so I know a) it is paid b) I am covered c) exactly how much money I have left for other crap. My prescriptions are pretty stable (other than a random illness) and I get my tax return in January so I always set aside enough to cover my deductible.

Furthermore my employer requires you to have our insurance, or show proof of coverage on another plan or you will be charged for insurance. They feel that people without insurance are less likely to go to the doctor, come to work ill, and not only get other people ill, but also have children who are sick longer. We get sick leave and two hours a month for medical appointments, and sick leave can be used to cover time for family member illnesses which most people with kids do.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

But your proposing that everyone should have the same insurance and that is not what Americans want. We all want to choose our own insurance...which may be the policy that the President and Congress enjoy, but it may also be a cheaper policy that only covers catastrophic coverage so that we don't have to pay huge monthly bills for the policy. If health care is to be universal, then every American citizen should be expected to have some level of responsibility towards covering their own insurance needs. Leaving the health care expenses for the nation to the tax payers is ridiculous. Instead of buying expensive electronics and cars, first, we all need to cover ourselves for the very real threats to our health. For those that cannot afford coverage, the government can subsidize policies. I understand that paying for health insurance is an expense that doesn't seem to make sense when you don't make much money and you can't see the tangible benefits. Unfortunately, responsibility mandates that you buy the insurance anyway. I sure hated to pay for it when I lived off of $9000 a year in med school, but I didn't really have much of a choice since it was a requirement for enrollment.

No, I'm not suggesting that universal health care is the way to go. I'm saying that, should our representatives deem universal health care necessary, then the citizens of America deserve the exact same coverage that others choose for us - but not themselves.

I say this as someone whose tax returns were lowered because the IRS decided that I didn't really spend that much on medical expenses - never mind the receipts.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by honeychile

No, I'm not suggesting that universal health care is the way to go. I'm saying that, should our representatives deem universal health care necessary, then the citizens of America deserve the exact same coverage that others choose for us - but not themselves.

I say this as someone whose tax returns were lowered because the IRS decided that I didn't really spend that much on medical expenses - never mind the receipts.

And to do that would mean lowering the coverage for congress not raising the coverage for the people...no one can afford that level of coverage universally....it's not feasible. Everyone hates to hear the word "rationing" but it's how reasonably priced health care is meted out with or without insurance as the payor.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

But your proposing that everyone should have the same insurance and that is not what Americans want. We all want to choose our own insurance...

I'm not sure I'd agree that we all want to choose our insurance -- for all practical purposes, most of us don't now. We go with what our workplace provides; at most, choice goes to the level of coverage or choosing to buy additional coverage. Sure, maybe I could decide to forgo what I have at work and look elsewhere for coverage for my family, but practically speaking that's not an option because of pre-existing conditions and other concerns. I think that when most Americans talk about "choice" with regard to insurance, they mean choice as to doctors and other health care providers, not as to insurance coverage.

Maybe I'm off here, but I think what most people want in health care coverage is stability. I know I'm not alone is seeing premiums, deductables and co-pays all shoot up like crazy in recent years -- much faster than income has. I think we want to see some brakes on the sky-rocketing costs. I think we don't want to have to worry about what happens to health insurance if we lose a job, or to have to turn down that new job we might really want because insurance concerns get in the way.

And I'll add that I doubt I'm alone in thinking that if insurance companies provided more coverage or incentives for preventive medicine and wellness, costs for curative medicine might down.

If health care is to be universal, then every American citizen should be expected to have some level of responsibility towards covering their own insurance needs. Leaving the health care expenses for the nation to the tax payers is ridiculous.

I'm not really agreeing or disagreeing with you -- more paying devil's advocate -- but why is it ridiculous? If everyone paid for health insurance through taxes, particularly if they are "targeted taxes" like paying into Social Security, then everyone is sharing in the responsibility for coverage, including their own. Doesn't seem that different from personal responsibility through paying premiums.

Meanwhile, those of us who have coverage are paying for those who don't, either through taxes or through higher bills from health care providers to make up the difference.

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Everyone hates to hear the word "rationing" but it's how reasonably priced health care is meted out with or without insurance as the payor.

Exactly.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I'm not sure I'd agree that we all want to choose our insurance -- for all practical purposes, most of us don't now. We go with what our workplace provides; at most, choice goes to the level of coverage or choosing to buy additional coverage. Sure, maybe I could decide to forgo what I have at work and look elsewhere for coverage for my family, but practically speaking that's not an option because of pre-existing conditions and other concerns. I think that when most Americans talk about "choice" with regard to insurance, they mean choice as to doctors and other health care providers, not as to insurance coverage.

Which is essentially the same thing. Every insurance company gives you the option to see a set group of physicians. If you choose one insurance policy, you have one set of physicians that accept that policy and so on. I agree that for many, they get what their employer gives them, but for a large part of the country, there is a little more choice and it may allow patients to choose whether or not to pick a plan based on cost, physicians covered and many other variables.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

And to do that would mean lowering the coverage for congress not raising the coverage for the people...no one can afford that level of coverage universally....it's not feasible. Everyone hates to hear the word "rationing" but it's how reasonably priced health care is meted out with or without insurance as the payor.

I have no problem with "lowering the standards" of representatives who don't show concern for their constituents. I've heard too many horror stories from the British & Canadian health care systems to believe that government knows how much health care each individual needs. We still are a nation of individuals, aren't we? Or should I be practicing my goose step?